New Premium edition AVATAR

ovfdfireman

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Got an email from Stern today take a look...

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

We are going to make a Premium Limited Edition version of our Avatar
pinball, and this Limited Edition will be unlike any we have done before.

We are not just decorating the normal Pro version of this game. The
Avatar Limited Edition will have added game play and mechanical features.

Like all fine art and collectibles, each game will be numbered, with
it's plaque and its authenticity certificate marked from number 1 of 250
to number 250 of 250.

Additions to Avatar contained in the Avatar Limited Edition will include:
--Amp Suit with legs that march up and down, activated by solenoids
--Transporter cover that opens and closes, operated by an added motor
--A white pinball mixed among the silver balls and a sensor so that the
game will increase scoring when the white ball is in play
--Shaker motor assembly
--Added game rules and computer code to operate these added devices
--More figurines decorating the game, including
--Banshee figure hovering over the plastic ramp
--Colonel Quaritch inside the Amp suit
--Navi's mounted at the Navi target bank
--Increased number of control lamps and general illumination lamps
--Metal lower arch, enhanced with light up blue translucent windows
--Playfield support slides
--Traditional lockdown mechanism and front molding
--Playfields 1 to 25 will be signed
--Added playfield hard coat
--And of course full chrome package - side armor, lock bar, hinges, legs
 
Man, that is pretty sweet! I know someday when I have more money I will probably be looking for one.. lol
 
Hopefully the sign it before the diamond-plate it. otherwise you can never clean it...
 
First off, cool - sort of.

I see no software additions that will add to gameplay in any way. Only operate toys and lights - that's not play.

While it's neat and all, it just continues to show Stern's trend of not finishing games before initial offering. Last time it was beta software in the field for weeks, this time it's an "incomplete" toy package. Makes all the early adopters feel pretty salty right about now, and rightfully so.

And lastly, unfortunately for us frequent route players, we will likely not see any of them, since all the early models are out there, only private collectors will buy these (which is clearly a focus, but since 50%+ of their customer base IS that home buyer, why cocksmack those that bought early?).

P.S. If that white ball ends up being ceramic, ala the Powerball - somebody dies.
 
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Stern is going to get the opposite effect on this one. Sure people will snatch up the Avatar LE's but I bet they see a decrease in sales for the next pin. People are going to wait until it has been out for a while to see if the LE will have more.

Previous LE editions were changed in the art dept only. I can deal with different art but not missing features that matter to gameplay.

So in the end: Cool for new buyers, bad for existing and future buyers.
 
You missed the important piece of this email:

The distributor price for Avatar Limited Edition with this really
exciting added package is $4,899. Games number 1 and 2 are already
committed to James Cameron and John Landau, the director and producer
of
the Avatar movie. As is the case with numbered art and numbered
remakes
of pinball machines, the very low numbered art and games warrant a
higher price when sold by you. The price from us for numbers 3 to 9
will be $5,299 and for 10 through 25 will be $4,999.
Production will be late this month. We will not require deposits as
we
have with some earlier Premium Limited Edition games and as has been
required for numbered remakes of pinball machines. As with our other
Premium models, there are no cash discounts or warranty allowances.
We
will require payment before delivery of these unique, numbered Avatar
Limited Edition pinball machines.
Best regards
Gary
--
Gary Stern
President
Stern Pinball, Inc.
2020 Janice Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160-1011. USA
Tel: +1-708-786-7036. Fax: +1-708-345-7813
Mobile: +1-847-278-1398
email: [email protected]


So - is this LE really worth that much more money? To me no.
 
Avatar was the worst movie I've ever seen. It was just a bad remake of Disneys Pocohantas. Or Ferngully.
 
Avatar was the worst movie I've ever seen. It was just a bad remake of Disneys Pocohantas. Or Ferngully.

Wow, that's so original...did you think that up yourself? ....or did you buy the book "Cliches: How to use them in everyday conversation"?

I forgot about the part in Pocahontas with giant mech robots....and the part in Fern Gully with controllable alien bodies.


Avatar isn't an original story....but the worst movie you've ever seen? C'mon. Is Avatar the only movie you've ever seen? Besides Fern Gully and Pocahontas, of course....
 
Guess I shoulda just found this first. Yes, It was pretty awful.
 

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Guess I shoulda just found this first. Yes, It was pretty awful.

Tell me if you can make it through Mortal Kombat Annihilation ...or G.I. Joe...or Get Smart...of, I dunno...the Hanna Montana movie... then tell me Avatar's the worst movie you've ever seen. ;)
 
I think it is a great idea. Some may not like the premium model because the original doesn't have all the gingerbread, but I think by doing this the way Stern has done it, they are creating an incentive to buy the game at a premium price, which is good for Stern. They need it.

-Mike
 
Stern is going to get the opposite effect on this one. Sure people will snatch up the Avatar LE's but I bet they see a decrease in sales for the next pin. People are going to wait until it has been out for a while to see if the LE will have more.

Previous LE editions were changed in the art dept only. I can deal with different art but not missing features that matter to gameplay.


So in the end: Cool for new buyers, bad for existing and future buyers.

Not quite true. The LotR LE included shaker motor sw support and wiring. And a few minor tech fixes like an LED for the problematic Balrog flasher, a through-screw for the left ring ramp post, etc.

I agree with the rest of your comments, tho. :)
 
Not quite true. The LotR LE included shaker motor sw support and wiring. And a few minor tech fixes like an LED for the problematic Balrog flasher, a through-screw for the left ring ramp post, etc.

I agree with the rest of your comments, tho. :)

Yeah will I guess "technically" you are correct :) The shaker doesn't add to the gameplay though :) That's my biggest gripe, adding new scoring and gameplay features could instantly make the older version obselete and less fun. You can't compare scores with other non-LE players too. It makes sense though, they can change that why the game is currently in production, it shouldn't be much to add the extra switches, wiring, etc.

Now if LOTR LE had new physical upgrades (new switches, solenoids, etc) I would have bought the LOTR LE NIB. I *will* have a NIB pin someday but I will surely wait until I can be reasonably sure Stern won't pull this trick.
 
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